Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV is calling on all sectors to oppose the "heartless and unreasonable" tax plan of President Rodrigo Duterte, which he said would be a big burden to the Filipino people.

Trillanes said: "After killing thousands of poor people in his war on drugs, the President now intends to slowly kill many more Filipinos with his tax plan that would significantly increase prices on fuel, transportation, and basic commodities."

Under the Duterte tax plan, the government would increase to P10 per liter the excise tax on regular gasoline and other products that are presently imposed positive excise tax rates, such as leaded and unleaded premium gasoline, aviation turbo jet fuel, lubricating greases and oils, naphtha, as well as petrolatum and waxes.

Diesel, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas and other products presently exempted from excise tax would be levied with a P6.00 per liter excise tax. This would immediately increase current retail prices of these products by P6.00 per liter.

Moreover, the value added tax exemption being afforded to senior citizens and persons with disabilities would be removed under the same Duterte tax plan.

Trillanes added: "This just shows the President's lack of sympathy to the plight of Filipino people. Instead of stimulating the economy, the Duterte tax plan will greatly diminish the purchasing power of the people thereby worsening the poverty in our country."

"Definitely, I will do everything in my capacity to oppose this heartless and unreasonable proposal in the Senate," Trillanes further resolved.